The “what” as it turns out, was to make it woodworking-friendly by building and affixing a drill press table. Let’s face it. While the metal circular shelf might be great for metal working, it’s crap for delivering the precision us woodworkers require.

So after some research I created a list of criterion that my table had to meet:

• Hold stock securely for mortising and drilling• Able to angle with bed• Large enough to complete most tasks easily• Pleasing appearance• Replaceable insert• Adjustable fence with slotted grooves top and bottom to secure stops and holddowns

I tweaked the design by eschewing slot tracks that formed a square, and going with two tracks perpendicular to the front and back.

As an aside. Can I ask you a personal question? When was the last time you saw the word “eschewing” in a woodworking article?

MaterialsThe fence I made from a reclaimed oak 2” x 4” that I picked up for free at a Fort Collins, CO warehouse shipping dock advertised on Craig’s List. The base is ¾” plywood with oak banding around the edges. I eased the sharp edges with a roundover bit on the router table.

The t-slot hardware I got from Lee Valley because it was inexpensive. The hold-down hardware I got from Rockler on sale.

The stop blocks I made out of scraps.

The insert, I made out of 3/8” plywood.

Using itFirst things first. Here’s the final build.

As careful I was in my planing and squaring the fence, it still requires me to tweak it a bit when I put it under tension. Meaning that things can go slightly out of square. This is a case where working the fence on a power jointer would have paid dividends.

Still, the fence is functional and, so far, has met all my needs.

You’ll note that the top of my fence has a slot but no t-slot track. I cut the slot in anticipation of purchasing the t-slot track later (wanted to minimize costs on the initial build). Frankly, I haven’t felt a need for it so I’ll go without for now.

I also had to cut out a bit of table to allow the table adjustment handle to move freely.

eschew – gazuntite. Do you need a tissue? As for the woodworking – nice build and low cost. It looks very sturdy which reminds me that I need to build a drill press table since the one I bought is flimsy and small.

-- Earl "I'm a pessamist - generally that increases the chance that things will turn out better than expected"

I think I may be motivated to finish mine now. I purchased a piece of Baltic ply clad in laminate for the table and every now and then look over and put it on my mental list. I also have the track and such. How many times do we do that? Buy stuff for a project we want to build but get side tracked by other shiny objects?